Apparatus and Method for Use in the Treatment of Hair

ABSTRACT

A hair clip comprises first and second elongate members moveable between open and closed configurations. One of the first and second elongate members mounts a plurality of notches, and the other of the elongate members mounts a plate, the plate and the plurality of notches being disposed laterally of one another, and in the closed position the plurality of notches are adjacent and substantially overlap the plate. In use hair is located between the first and second elongate member and the plate which serves to press the hair into the notches.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for use in thetreatment of hair, and in particular to an apparatus and methodsfacilitating the weaving and colouring of hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When colouring or highlighting hair it is necessary separate out hairsinto strands. This is because when colouring hair it is normal practiceto colour only some of the hairs, and by separating the hairs out intostrands selected strands of hairs can be coloured to achieve aparticular desired effect.

It is known to use flexible film materials to isolate strands of hairselected for colouring from other hair and the scalp. Typically, strandsof hair to be coloured are first selected using a hairdressing techniqueknown as “weaving”. The selected strands are then laid over a length ofliquid impermeable material which effectively isolates the selected hairfrom the remaining hair. The barrier material is generally between 5 and8 cm wide and of a length greater than or equal to the length of hairbeing treated. One edge of the material is located adjacent the roots ofthe selected strands of hair against the scalp. The edge of the materialadjacent the roots is provided with a contact adhesive. The hair rootsare pressed against this adhesive to secure the film in place so thatthe colouring or other treatment substance can be applied to the hairwithout damage to surrounding hairs or the scalp.

A number of problems are known to exist with the typical method ofcolouring hair. For example, to use the apparatus, the practitioner mustuse the weaving technique. This technique is not easy, and is very timeconsuming. The adhesive of the film material often sticks to elementsother than the desired roots. Where the hair is very thick, not all theroots stick to the adhesive, leading to poor colouring.

A number of devices have been proposed to address the above-mentionedproblems. For example, in WO 03/011069 there is described a method andapparatus for use in treating strands of hair. In the apparatusdescribed, rather than applying a contact adhesive to one edge of thefilm, a securing means comprising a plurality of elements for hookingabout and gripping one or more strands of hair is provided. One of theproblems with the securing means of this apparatus is that adjacentgripped strands of hair are closely aligned and therefore difficult toseparate. Another problem associated with the securing means of thisapparatus is that the shape of the elements means the apparatus would beexpensive to manufacture. Another problem associated with the securingmeans of this apparatus is that individual hooking elements physicallyinterfere with other hooking elements when the securing device is openedand closed. The cyclical loading and unloading of the hook elements willlead to stress failures.

Another apparatus for use in the treatment of hair is described inWO02/071891. In this published patent application an apparatus comprisesa sheet material for separating selected strands of hair from other hairand the scalp. The apparatus requires the hair to be weaved manually bythe hairdresser. The apparatus includes a member having teeth which areinserted between selected strands of hair. The member is resilient andthe teeth grip the selected strands of hair to attach the apparatus tothe hair. This device relies on a material's resilience to fix theapparatus to the hair, and furthermore requires a hairdresser to weavethe hair.

It would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for use in thetreatment of hair which does not suffer the disadvantages of theabove-described apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a hair clip asspecified in claim 1.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a hairclip as specified in claim 17.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided anapparatus as specified in claim 20.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof treating hair as specified in claim 23.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof treating hair as specified in claim 24.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a kit ofparts as specified in claim 26.

It is preferred that films used in the invention are formed of a waterresistant or water impermeable material, which may be a plasticsmaterial. The material may be resistant to chemicals.

The apparatus of the invention is particularly advantageous as itconveniently weaves hair mechanically, that is as the first and secondelongate members are pressed together strands of hair are forced intothe notches. Another advantage of the invention lies in the fact thatthe separated strands lying in the notches located in the 1^(st)elongate member are spaced apart from the separated strands of hairlying in the notches located in the 2^(nd) elongate member. This featureallows the hair dresser to manipulate the groups of strands of haireasily, and is particularly useful where more than one colour is to beapplied. An advantage provided by one embodiment of the invention liesin the ability to removably attach a film to a clip. This allowsdifferent films to be used with the same clip, thereby providing forflexibility in hair styling, and allows films to be easily washed andre-used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of theinvention, and which are by way of example:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the apparatus invention in use;

FIG. 2 a is a schematic representation of a clip according to a firstembodiment of the invention in an open position;

FIG. 2 b is a schematic representation of the clip illustrated in FIG. 2a in a fully closed position;

FIG. 2 c is a front view of the clip illustrated in FIG. 2 b;

FIG. 3 a is a schematic front/plan view of a clip according to a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 b is a schematic exploded view of the clip illustrated in FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3 c is a plan view of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b;

FIG. 3 d is a front view of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 3 a to 3 c ina first configuration;

FIG. 3 e is a front view of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 3 a to 3 d ina second configuration;

FIG. 3 f is a schematic representation of the clip illustrated in FIGS.3 a to 3 e in a closed position;

FIG. 3 g is a schematic representation of the clip illustrated in FIG. 3f from the rear;

FIG. 3 h is a plan view of the clip illustrated in FIG. 3 g;

FIG. 3 i is a front view of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 3 f to 3 h ina first configuration;

FIG. 3 j is a front view of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 3 f to 3 h ina second configuration;

FIG. 4 a is a schematic exploded view of a clip according to a thirdembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 b is a schematic exploded view from the rear of the clipillustrated in FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 4 c is a plan view of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b;

FIG. 4 d is a front view of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 4 a to 4 c ina first configuration;

FIG. 4 e is a front view of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 4 a to 4 d ina second configuration;

FIG. 4 g is a schematic representation of components of the clipillustrated in FIGS. 4 a to 4 e with the clip closed;

FIG. 4 h is a front view of the components of the clip illustrated inFIG. 4 g;

FIG. 4 i is a schematic representation of the clip illustrated in FIGS.4 g and 4 h with the clip open.

FIG. 4 j is a schematic representation of the clip illustrated in FIGS.4 a to 4 e in a closed position;

FIG. 4 k is a schematic representation of the clip illustrated in FIG. 4j from the rear;

FIG. 4 l is a bottom plan view of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 4 j and4 k;

FIG. 4 m is a front view of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 4 j to 4 l ina first configuration;

FIG. 4 n is a front view of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 4 j to 4 l ina second configuration;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 3 e with a plastics film attached thereto;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the clip illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 3 c with a plastics film removably attachable to the clip;

FIG. 7 a is a schematic front/plan view of the clip illustrated in FIGS.3 a to 3 e with a plastics film removably attachable to the clip;

FIG. 7 b is a schematic rear/plan view of the clip illustrated in FIGS.3 a to 3 a with a plastics film removably attachable to the clip;

FIG. 8 illustrates a kit of parts comprising a clip and a plurality ofinterchangeable notch cover elements; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic representation of a further embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, apparatus 1 comprises a clip 2 and a thin sheetmaterial 3 depending therefrom. The clip 2 divides hair grasped thereininto groups 4 of strands 5. By separating the hair into groups 4 ofstrands 5 allows each group 4 to be coloured a different colour to aneighbouring group 4 of strands 5. Each strand 5 consists of a number ofindividual hairs. The strands are sufficiently thin that all the hairsin the strand 5 are effectively coloured by the colourant used.

One function of the thin sheet material 3, which may be a plasticsmaterial, is to protect hair that is not to be coloured from colourant.Another function of the thin sheet material 3 is to isolate one group 4of strands 5 from another group 4 of strands 5, thereby facilitating thedifferent colouring of neighbouring groups 4. This is explained ingreater detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The thin sheet materialis water resistant or water impervious, and preferably resistant tochemical degradation.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 a to 2 c, the clip 10 comprises two elongatemembers 11, 12 joined together at one end by a hinge 13. The elongatemembers 11, 12 are provided with locking means in the form of a catch 14located on the element 12, which engages with the free end of theelement 11 to lock the clip 10.

The elongate member 11 is substantially T shaped in cross-section, andincludes a base 27 and an upright element 28 perpendicular to the base27.

The elongate member 12 includes a base 25 and two spaced apart elements23 and 26 extending perpendicular to the said base. Located in theelement 26 arc first and second groups of notches 15 and 16respectively. The element 23 provides a flat continuous edge 29. Theelements 23 and 26 are spaced apart such that the upright element 28 ofthe elongate member 11 is aligned with the space between the twoelements 23 and 26. When the clip 10 is closed, the upright element 28sits between the two elements 23 and 26.

Located in the upright element 28 is a first group of notches 17, and asecond group of notches 18. The first group of notches 17 is separatedfrom the second group of notches 18 by a continuous element 20 of theupright element 28.

In the closed position, the flat edge 29 substantially engages with afacing surface 40 of the elongate member 11. Since the clip is made froma pliable material, such as a plastics material, the shape of theelongate members 11, 12 may change to accommodate hair gripped betweenthe flat edge 29 and the surface 40. The provision of two opposing flatsurfaces gives very good hair gripping performance.

It can be seen from FIG. 2 b, that the clip is curved. The radius ofcurvature matches closely the radius of curvature of a typical human'shead. Using a curved clip allows hair at opposite ends of the clip to becoloured as closely to the hair roots as those in the centre of theclip.

Referring again to FIG. 2 a, the elongate member 11 includes a bore 41extending the full length of the said member. An opening 42, extendingthe length of the elongate member and from the outer surface of theelongate member 11 into the bore 41 allows for a film to be removablyattached to the clip 10. The film is wrapped around a pin and the pin isslid into the bore. This is explained in greater detail with referenceto FIGS. 5 and 6.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a to 3 e, the clip illustrated is the clip ofFIGS. 2 a to 2 c. A first slider 30 is mounted on the elongate member12, and a second slider 33 is mounted on the elongate member 11. In theconfiguration illustrated in FIGS. 3 a, 3 b and 3 e, the clip providesfor hair held in the clip to be separated into four groups of strands.As can be seen from FIG. 3 e, each group of notches 15 to 18 faces aflat continuous edge 36 to 39, with each group of notches on oneelongate member being separated from another group of notches on thesame elongate member by one of the flat continuous edges.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 d, the slider 30 has beenmoved to the right with respect to its position in FIG. 3 e, and theslider 33 has been moved to the left with respect to its position inFIG. 3 e. Moving the slider 30 reveals three notches which in theconfiguration of FIG. 3 e are covered by the notch covers 31 and 32respectively, whilst at the same time covering three notches to leave atotal of six notches revealed. Similarly, moving the slider 33 revealsthree notches which in the configuration of FIG. 3 e are covered by thenotch covers 34 and 35 respectively, whilst at the same time coveringthree notches to leave a total of six notches revealed. In theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 3 d, each group of three notches facesa flat continuous edge 45 to 52. In the configuration illustrated inFIG. 3 d hair held in the clip is separated into eight groups ofstrands, whereas in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 e, hair heldin the clip is separated into four groups of strands.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 a to 4 c, the clip 60 provides for hair heldtherein to be separated into either seven or fourteen groups of strands,depending on the configuration of the clip. The clip 60 comprises twoelongate members 61, 62 joined together at one end by a hinge 63. Theelongate members 61, 62 are provided with locking means in the form of acatch 64 located on the clement 62, which engages with the free end ofthe element 61 to lock the clip 60.

The elongate member 61 is substantially T shaped in cross-section, andincludes a base 79 and an upright clement 80 perpendicular to the base79.

The elongate member 62 includes a base 81 and two spaced apart elements82 and 83 extending perpendicular to the said base. Located in theclement 82 are seven groups of notches 66 to 71 a. The element 83provides a flat continuous edge 84. The elements 82 and 83 are spacedapart such that the upright clement 80 of the elongate member 61 isaligned with the space between the two elements 82 and 83. When the clip60 is closed, the upright element 80 sits between the two elements 82and 83.

Located in the upright element 80 are seven groups of notches 72 to 78.Each group 72 to 78 contains three notches, with adjacent groups 72 to78 being separated by an element providing a flat surface facing one ofthe notches 66 to 71 a.

In the closed position, the flat edge 85 extends downward to at leastpartially cover the notches formed in the upright 80 of the elongatemember 62. Since the clip is made from a pliable material, such as aplastics material, the shape of the elongate members 61, 62 may changeto accommodate hair gripped between the flat edge 85 and the flatsurface 90 of slider 87. The provision of two opposing flat surfacesgives very good hair gripping performance.

It can be seen from FIGS. 4 a to 4 c, that the clip is curved. Theradius of curvature matches closely the radius of curvature of a typicalhuman's head. Using a curved clip allows hair at opposite ends of theclip to be coloured as closely to the hair roots as those in the centreof the clip.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, the elongate member 61 includes abore 91 extending the full length of the said member. An opening 92,extending the length of the elongate member and from the outer surfaceof the elongate member 61 into the bore 91 allows for a film to beremovably attached to the clip 60. The film is wrapped around a pin andthe pin is slid into the bore. This is explained in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The clip 60 includes two sliders 86, 87. The first slider 86 is mountedon the elongate member 62, and a second slider 87 is mounted on theelongate member 61. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 e, theclip provides for hair held in the clip to be separated into sevengroups of strands. As can be seen from FIG. 4 c, each group of notches66 to 71 a faces a flat continuous edge 100 to 106, and similarly eachgroup of notches 72 to 72 faces a flat continuous edge 107 to 113. Eachgroup of notches on one elongate member is separated from another groupof notches on the same elongate member by one of the flat continuousedges.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 d, the slider 86 has beenmoved to the right with respect to its position in FIG. 4 e, and theslider 87 has been moved to the left with respect to its position inFIG. 4 d. Moving the slider 86 reveals seven notches which in theconfiguration of FIG. 4 e are covered by the notch covers 88, whilst atthe same time covering seven notches to leave a total of fourteennotches revealed. Similarly, moving the slider 87 reveals seven notcheswhich in the configuration of FIG. 4 e are covered by the notch covers89, whilst at the same time covering seven notches to leave a total offourteen notches revealed. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 d,each notch faces a flat continuous edge of one of the notch covers 88,89 respectively. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 d hair heldin the clip is separated into fourteen groups of strands, whereas in theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 4 e, hair held in the clip isseparated into seven groups of strands.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a clip 30 as illustrated inFIGS. 3 a to 3 e to which a plastics film 100 is attached. The plasticsfilm 100 is foldable along fold lines X and Y thereby folding the filminto four quarters. The use of such a foldable film provides for threedifferent colours to be applied to the hair, each fold generating alayer of plastics material to separate a group of strands of hair fromanother group of strands of hair. Four colours could be used if aseparate layer of plastics material were applied to a group of strandsthe underside of which rested on the most outward surface of thefoldable film. In order to facilitate the easy application of colouringsubstances to the separated groups of strands of hair, the film is cutalong the line Y between the locations Y¹ and Y¹¹. The manner ofattachment of plastics film to a clip will be described in greaterdetail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 a. Another folding arrangementfor a film that would provide for the same colouring effects wouldinvolve a film foldable along three parallel and spaced apart foldlines.

In FIG. 6, a plastics film 110 attached to the clip 30 is foldable alongfold lines X′, X″ and Y to fold the film into sixths. The use of such afoldable film provides for five different colours to be applied to thehair, each fold generating a layer of plastics material to separate agroup of strands of hair from another group of strands of hair. Sixcolours could be used if a separate layer of plastics material wereapplied to a group of strands the underside of which rested on the mostoutward surface of the foldable film. In order to facilitate the easyapplication of colouring substances to the separated groups of strandsof hair, the film is cut along the line Y between the locations Y¹ andY¹¹. The film 110 is attached to the underside of the elongate member 11of the clip 30. The elongate member 11 includes a bore 53 extending thefull length of the said member. An opening 54, extending the length ofthe elongate member and from the outer surface of the elongate member 11into the bore 53 allows for a film 110 to be removably attached to theclip 30. The film includes a loop which is inserted into the bore 53 anda pin 55 is passed through the loop to secure the pin 55 into the bore53.

An alternative means of attaching the film to the clip may comprisecorresponding elements of hook and claw material. Alternatively, anelement may be attached to the film that is removably insertable intothe clip.

In FIGS. 7 a and 7 b, a thin plastics film 120 is substantially the samewidth as the clip 30, and provides for one colour to be applied to thehair. The film 120 may be turned up on itself or a separate film layerplaced over a group of strands of hair to be coloured. The film 120 isattached to the clip in the same manner as described with reference toFIG. 6.

In a further embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), a film mayalso be attached to the top of the clip. This could be substantially thesame width as the clip, and may be used in conjunction with a film ofthe type illustrated in FIG. 5 to allow four colours to be used or inconjunction with a film of the type illustrated in FIG. 6 to allow sixcolours to be used.

In another embodiment of the invention, rather than providing a clip ofthe type illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, where groups of teeth areseparated by planar elements aligned with the groups of teeth, the clipcould be provided with teeth extending from close to one end of the clipto close to the other end of the clip. Different numbers of groups ofstrands of hair could then be determined by different configurations ofa group forming members. This is illustrated in FIG. 8 which shows sideviews of a clip having co-operating continuous series of notchedelements 211 and 212 and six alternative group forming members 213, 214,215, 216, 217 and 218. The first group forming members 213 are providedwith a series of notches 219, adjacent notches being separated by acontinuous element so dimensioned as to blank off one of the notches211, 212 of the clip. With a member 213 attached to each of the notchedelements 211 and 212, the clip provides two rows of eighteen groups ofstrands of hair. Similarly, the group forming members 214 comprises ninegroups of two notches, each group being separated by the width of twonotches of the notched elements 211 and 212. The clip therefore providestwo rows of nine groups of strands of hair. The group forming members215 comprises six groups of three notches, each group being separated bythe width of three notches of the notched elements 211 and 212. The cliptherefore provides two rows of six groups of strands of hair. The groupforming members 216 comprises five groups of four notches, each groupbeing separated by the width of four notches of the notched elements 211and 212. The clip therefore provides two rows of five groups of strandsof hair. The group forming members 217 comprises three groups of sixnotches, each group being separated by the width of six notches of thenotched elements 211 and 212. The clip therefore provides two tows ofthree groups of strands of hair. The group forming members 218 comprisetwo groups of nine notches, each group being separated by the width ofnine notches of the notched elements 211 and 212. The clip thereforeprovides two rows of two groups of strands of hair.

The clip comprising notched elements 211 and 212 may be supplied as akit of parts with some or all of the group forming members 213 to 218 asshown in FIG. 8. In use, the hair stylist selects the desired member 213to 218, and attaches it to the clip.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a clip 300 comprising twoelongate members 301, 302 joined together at one end by a hinge 302 a.The free ends of each member 301, 302 are provided with co-operatingmembers 301 a and 301 b of fastening means. Each of the members 301, 302is provided with a plurality of teeth 303, 304. The clip 300 describedis similar to the clip described with reference to FIGS. 4 a to 4 d. Aslider 305 is mounted on each elongate member 301, 302, the slidercomprising a plurality of spaced apart notch covers 306 each notch coverincluding elements 307 projecting upwardly from the edges of notchcovers 306. The projecting elements 307 ensure that when the clip isclosed there is a space bounded by the inner surfaces of the projectingelements 307, the surface of the notch cover 306 extending between theprojecting elements 307 and a surface of the elongate element 302 inwhich the strands of hair are retained. The embodiment of FIG. 9 is alsoprovided with fastening means for fastening the sliders in theirrespective positions. Each elongate element 301, 302 is provided with apair of spaced apart bores 308 which in use cooperate with a protrusion(not shown) on the inside of the notch cover 305. Each bore 308 definesa desired position of the slider 305 in relation to the elongate memberon which it is mounted. A further fastener comprises a raised bar 310,which an endmost notch cover slides over to rest in one desired positionof the slider. The edge of the notch cover engages with the raised bar310 to fasten the slider 305 in a desired position. In each case a hairstylist may move the slider out of a fastened configuration by applyingpressure with finger or thumb to the slider.

The thin film used to separate hair from the scalp and/or other hair maybe coloured and/or reflective. Furthermore, the thin film may beprovided with attachment means, whereby one surface of film may beattached to another surface of film. For example, such attachment meansmay comprise an element or strip of adhesive, which may be of the typethat is attachable and removable. Alternatively, the attachment meansmay comprise corresponding elements of hook and claw material.

1. A hair clip comprising first and second elongate members and moveable between open and closed configurations, wherein one of the first and second elongate members mounts a plurality of notches, and wherein the other of the elongate members mounts a plate, wherein the plate and the plurality of notches are disposed laterally of one another, and in the closed position the plurality of notches are adjacent and substantially overlap the plate, in use hair being located between the first and second elongate members and the plate serving to press the hair into the notches.
 2. A hair clip according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member mounting the plate also mounts a plurality of notches, said plurality of notches being laterally spaced apart from the plate on the elongate member.
 3. A hair clip according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of notches are grouped together, one group being separate from another.
 4. A hair clip according to claim 3, wherein each group includes between three and nine notches.
 5. A hair clip according to claim 3, wherein adjacent groups are separated one from another by an element lying in the same plane as the notches.
 6. A hair clip according to claim 1, wherein the first and second elongate members are hingedly connected together.
 7. A hair clip according to claim 1, further comprising locking means to lock the clip in its closed configuration.
 8. A hair clip according to claim 3, wherein the clip further comprises an element including at least one notch cover section, the element being mounted on one of the said first and second elongate members providing the said plurality of groups of notches.
 9. A hair clip according to claim 8, wherein the element is slidably mounted on one of the said first and second elongate members.
 10. A hair clip according to claim 9, wherein the element is slidable between a first position providing a first number of groups of notches and a second position providing a second number of groups of notches and wherein the first number of groups is different from the second number of groups.
 11. A hair clip according to claim 10, wherein the second number of groups is twice the first number of groups.
 12. A hair clip according to claim 8, wherein the element including at least one notch cover section is mounted on the first elongate member and an additional element including at least one notch cover section is mounted on the second elongate member.
 13. A hair clip according to claim 8, wherein the element includes between one and twenty notch cover sections.
 14. A hair clip according to claim 8, wherein the notch cover section is so shaped and dimensioned as to cover one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten notches.
 15. A hair clip according to claim 10, wherein the first number of groups is between one and ten, and the second number of groups is between two and twenty.
 16. A hair clip according to claim 9, further comprising fastening means for fastening the slidably mounted element in a position.
 17. A hair clip according to claim 16, wherein the fastening means comprises a protrusion extending from one of: the slidably mounted element or an elongate member, and a cooperating element of a corresponding elongate member or slidably mounted element.
 18. A hair clip according to claim 16, wherein the fastening means provide for the slidably mounted element to be fastened in a number of positions on a respective elongate member.
 19. A hair clip according to claim 1, wherein hair dividing means are provided on the said plate or the said notch covers.
 20. A hair clip according to claim 19, wherein the dividing means comprise upstanding elements which, with the clip closed, co-operate with one of the elongate elements or part mounted thereon to form a space in which separated hair may lie.
 21. A hair clip according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second elongate members includes attachment means for releasably attaching a sheet material to the clip.
 22. A hair clip according to claim 21, wherein the attachment means comprises a bore, said bore forming part of and extending in the longitudinal direction of one of the first and second elongate members, the attachment means further comprising a pin slidable into and out of the said bore, and wherein, in use, the sheet material is inserted into the bore, and held in place in the bore by the pin.
 23. A hair clip according to claim 22, wherein the bore includes an open slot extending in the longitudinal direction of the bore, in use, the sheet material passing through the slot.
 24. A hair clip according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second elongate members includes attachment means for releasably attaching a sheet material to the clip.
 25. Apparatus comprising a hair clip according to claim 21 and a sheet material attached thereto.
 26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the sheet material is foldable along fold lines.
 27. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the sheet material is foldable along the fold lines into two, three, four, five, six, eight, nine or ten sections.
 28. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the sheet material is cut along at least a part of the length of one of the fold lines.
 29. A method of treating hair comprising the steps of inserting hair between first and second elongate members of a hair clip as claimed in claim 1 and closing the clip.
 30. A method of treating hair comprising the steps of inserting hair between first and second elongate members of a hair clip of an apparatus as claimed in claim 25, closing the hair clip, passing the sheet material behind a group of strands of hair to be treated and folding the sheet material to cover the said groups of strands of hair.
 31. A method of treating hair as claimed in claim 30, further comprising the step of folding the sheet material and inserting respective groups of strands of hair between respective folds in the sheet material.
 32. A kit of parts comprising a hair clip as claimed in claim 1, and a set of elements each element of the set including a different number of notch cover sections, and each element of the set being mountable on one of the said first and second elongate members to provide the plurality of groups of notches.
 33. A kit of parts according to claim 32, wherein the number of notch cover sections is between one and twenty.
 34. A kit of parts according to claim 32, further comprising a sheet material for attachment to the hair clip.
 35. A kit of parts according to claim 34, wherein the sheet material is foldable along fold lines.
 36. A kit of parts according to claim 35, wherein the sheet material is foldable along fold lines into two, three, four, five, six, eight or ten sections.
 37. A kit of parts according to claim 35, wherein the said sheet material is cut along at least a part of the length of one of the fold lines.
 38. (canceled) 